http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himachal_Pradesh
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kullu
Himachal Pradesh (Hindi: हिमाचल प्रदेश Punjabi: ਹਿਮਾਚਲ ਪਰਦੇਸ਼) [ɦɪmaːtʃəl prəd̪eːʃ] ( listen)) is a state in Northern India. It is spread over 21,495 sq mi (55,670 km2),[3] and is bordered by Jammu and Kashmir on the north, Punjab on the west and south-west, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh on the south, Uttarakhand on th
e south-east and by the Tibet Autonomous Region on the east. Himachal Pradesh is known to be abundant in natural beauty.[4] After the war between Nepal and Britain also known as Anglo-Gorkha War, the British colonial government came into power. In 1950 Himachal was declared as a union territory but after the State of Himachal Pradesh Act 1971, Himachal emerged as the 18th state of the Republic of India. Hima means snow in Sanskrit, and the literal meaning of the state's name is In the lap of Himalayas.[5] It was named by one of the great Sanskrit scholars of Himachal Pradesh, Acharya Diwakar Datt Sharma. Its name means "Abode of Snow".[citation needed]
The Economy of the Himachal Pradesh is currently the third fastest growing economy in India.[6] Himachal Pradesh has been ranked fourth in the list of the highest per capita incomes of Indian states. Due to the abundance of perennial rivers, Himachal also sells hydro electricity to other states such as Delhi, Punjab and Rajasthan.[7] The economy of the state is highly dependent on three sources: hydroelectric power, tourism and agriculture.[8][9]
Hindus make up 95% of the state population, making it the most Hindu state (proportionally), in India. According to a 2005 Transparency International survey, Himachal Pradesh is ranked the second-least corrupt state in the country after Kerala.[10]
Kullu is the capital town of the Kullu District, in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is located on the banks of the Beas River in the Kullu Valley about ten kilometres north of the airport at Bhuntar. Kullu is a broad open valley formed by the Beas river between Manali and Largi. This valley is famous for its beauty and its majestic hills covered with Pine and Deodar Forest and sprawling Apple Orchards.The course of the Beas river presents a succession of magnificent, clad with forests of Deodar, towering above trees of Pine on the lower rocky ridges. Kullu valley is sandwiched between the Pir Panjal, Lower Himalayan and Great Himalayan range. Mandi & SunderNagar ( Old Names Mandi State & Suket State ) : The present District of Mandi was formed with the merger of two princely states, on 15 April 1948, when the State of Mandi was established. Until the mid 20th century, Mandi was on the trade route between and to and the Indian plains, served as commercial hub and trade centre. Mandi district is having second highest of 1013 females per thousand males. It serves as the headquarters of and Zonal Headquarters of central zone including Districts namely kullu mandi and Lahaul & Spiti. As a tourist place, Mandi is often referred to as "Varanasi of Hills" or "Choti Kashi" or "Kashi of Himachal". Also, Mandi is the starting point for a trek of the region. From Mandi, trekkers go to Bagi village, which serves as the base village for premier institute located 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from Mandi town. Photostories|Landscapes|People|Portraits|Culture|Nature|Travel|Places|Abstract|Panaroma|World|Photography|Best|Popular|Beautiful|Stunning|Marvelous|Pics|Soothing|Pics|Videography|Photos|Images|Pictures
